A lukewarm musical comeback and a single mum – this wasn’t the Christmas Cheryl wanted
The singer is feeling reflective as she faces festive life as a single mum
I t’s hard to believe how much can change in the space of 12 months. This time last year Cheryl was loved-up, spending Christmas with her “wonderful” partner, Liam Payne, and on an indefinite hiatus from work. But this year she’s facing her first festive season as a single mum, following a return to the spotlight, which was met with, er, mixed reviews. And while Chez is seemingly pasting on a smile for the cameras, insiders say this is nothing like the dream Christmas she imagined she’d be having…
“Cheryl is trying to put on a brave face, but she’s really dreading being lonely this year,” says an insider close to the mum-of-one who split from her One Direction baby daddy this summer after two years together. “She’s really struggling at the moment, being on her own. She’s always been a relationship person and Christmas time is the hardest time to be single. Sure, she has a lot going on in her life with Bear, her work and friends, and yes she has [her mum] Joan, around a lot, but it’s not the same as having a boyfriend around. She misses having a partner she can chat
to about her day and who knows what’s going on her life.”
Last year it seemed like twice-divorced Cheryl had it all, as she spoke in an interview about her “perfect” life and how having a family, “changes your life completely, but in the most amazing way. I’ve had the best six months of my life.” And now, several months after the break-up, friends say the 35-year-old is thinking a lot about Liam, 25, again – and what could’ve been. “She keeps wondering if there might have been a different outcome,” says the insider. “Mainly because they’ve been talking to each other a lot more lately and will be seeing a bit of one another over the festive period. Liam will be at Cheryl’s house on Christmas morning as they both want to make it special for Bear. They’re really serious about co-parenting and have always said they’d try to be there together for all the big events like Christmas and birthdays. But it’s not easy for either of them, and having Liam around will also be quite sad for Cheryl. You can Christmas Day for 20-month-old Bear. “It’s been such a crazy busy couple of months for Cheryl, working and travelling constantly, she can’t wait to have a break and enjoy some quality time with her son,” says the insider. insane. There’s a scooter, a proper playhouse, and an electric car – as well as hundreds of other gifts. Cheryl can’t help herself and she’s also bought him loads of adorable festive outfits, too.”
The Geordie star has spoken publicly about her excitement about Christmas Day, and how “cute” Bear will be now he’s that much older. She also claimed that she’s planning to spend it with family, watching festive films, but ruled out a Santa’s grotto visit, saying, “People have asked me, ‘Are you going to take him to see Father Christmas?’ [But] I think he would still be a little bit worried. Like, ‘Who’s this guy with the long beard?’”
And it’s not like Chezza will be completely alone for the big day. We’re told, “Her family are coming to spend Christmas with her. She loves to spoil them all rotten, so she’s going to be cooking a huge turkey and will lay on the full works. And of course, as she’s often said – the only man she wants to spend the day with is her number-one boy, Bear. She says she can’t wait to see his excited little face when he wakes up to all those presents on Christmas Day. Whatever has happened this past year, and whatever she’s been through with Liam, she’s determined to try to enjoy this special time with Bear.” n